Differences in Non-suicidal Self-injury Behaviors between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression in Adolescent Outpatients

Objective Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)has a higher prevalence in adolescents with depressive disorders than in community adolescents.This study examined the differences in NSSI behaviors between adolescents with unipolar depression(UD)and those with bipolar depression(BD).Methods Adolescents with UD or BD were recruited from 20 general or psychiatric hospitals across China.The methods,frequency,and function of NSSI were assessed by Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation.The Beck Suicide Ideation Scale was used to evaluate adolescents’suicidal ideation,and the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale to estimate the anxiety and depression symptoms.Results The UD group had higher levels of depression(19.16 vs.17.37,F=15.23,P<0.001)and anxiety symptoms(17.73 vs.16.70,F=5.00,P=0.026)than the BD group.Adolescents with BD had a longer course of NSSI than those with UD(2.00 vs.1.00 year,Z=−3.39,P=0.001).There were no statistical differences in the frequency and the number of methods of NSSI between the UD and BD groups.Depression(r=0.408,P<0.01)and anxiety(r=0.391,P<0.01)were significantly and positively related to NSSI frequency.Conclusion Adolescents with BD had a longer course of NSSI than those with UD.More importantly,NSSI frequency were positively and strongly correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms,indicating the importance of adequate treatment of depression and anxiety in preventing and intervening adolescents’NSSI behaviors.

Research progress on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and non-suicidal self-injury addictive behavior associated with depressive disorders in adolescents

In recent years,non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)behavior has emerged in a large number of adoles-cent depression.NSSI associated with adolescent depres-sion may be an addictive behavior,which has many sim-ilar neurobiological mechanisms to substance addiction.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and precursor of BDNF(proBDNF)play an important role in addiction behavior,and they may be related to endogenous opioid receptors.The location and distribution of opioidμre-ceptors in the brain are related to reward,motivation and emotion regulated by behavioral addiction.The purpose of this paper is to review the general situation,mechanism and relationship between the characteristics of NSSI be-havior addiction and brain-derived nutritional factors in adolescents with depression.

Non-suicidal self-injury in Shanghai inner bound middle school students

Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviour is very common among adolescents. Its prevalence and behavioural characteristics may vary according to regional and cultural differences. Investigation of NSSI locations and diagnosis of adolescents with NSSI are relatively lacking in China. Aims The study objective was to determine the prevalence and features of NSSI among middle school students in Shanghai. Methods The participants were from grade 6 to 8 selected from three junior schools in Jing’an District. Consenting students completed the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory to determine the prevalence and characteristics of NSSI. Those who indicated NSSI within the past month were administered the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents to assess for emotional disorders. Result The result shows 510 participants (21.7%;mean age 13.51 (0.97) years old;56.7% female) reported at least one instance of NSSI during the previous 12 months. NSSI was significantly more common in girls than boys (24.9% vs 18.5%;χ^2=14.03, p=0.00). Commonly reported reasons for NSSI were for internal and external emotion regulation (87.9%, 82.3%) and social influence (57.8%). Anxiety disorders were the most common (28.9%) disorder associated with NSSI. Conclusion The rate of NSSI of middle school students in Shanghai inner bound is similar to those reported in North American and European youth. It is essential that school mental health professionals are aware of how to manage NSSI within the school setting.

Reviewing Self-Injuries Behavior in Macaques: The Role of Early Experience and Genetics in an Integrated Non-Human Model

Genetic differences in non-human primates and the context where they were reared are important in the determination of their behaviors. Some studies suggest that Self-Injurious Behavior results from stress or anxiety, but some macaques appear to be more vulnerable to acquiring Self-Injurious Behavior. Vulnerability and risk for socially reared macaques of developing Self-Injurious Behavior increased when they experienced early adverse events and suffered from consequent stress. Stressful events can cause alterations in the neuroendocrine and neuropeptide systems associated with the regulation of stress and anxiety. Dysregulation in these systems contributes to the occurrence of anxious episodes that lead to self-harm. This could be used by those animals to counteract the effects of anxiety, causing euphoria by releasing endogenous opioids. In developing an integrative approach of Self-Injurious Behavior, we propose the diathesis-stress model to illustrate how the environment and genetics are influenced as well, taking rhesus monkeys as an example. Rhesus macaques and humans have essentially the same gene 5-HTT as well as functional polymorphism. The allelic variation in the region promoting the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) was associated with significant differences in the number of depressive symptoms and contributions to social reward and punishment. Growing up without the mother and the rearing environment are important risk factors for developing abnormal behaviors. The main idea is that monkeys who carry short 5-HTT allele and are reared with their peers (without their mother) suffer from